Breaking down World Cup's quarterfinal games

Our Kurtis Larson is in Fortaleza ahead of Friday afternoon’s World Cup quarterfinal between Brazil and Colombia. But before the teams arrive along the northeastern coast of the country, Larson takes you through each of the quarterfinal matchups and how he sees them playing out.

BRAZIL vs. COLOMBIA

Friday, July 4 – Fortaleza

Colombia bench boss Jose Pekerman is already stirring the pot, saying a team lacking stars can disturb the balance of a side that’s under pressure to get a result on home soil.

After surviving a massive scare against Chile last Saturday in Belo Horizonte, a match that went to penalties, Brazil will have to finally be at its best if it wants to take down a side that has surprised in the absence of Radamel Falcao.

Instead, it’s Falcao’s Monaco teammate, James Rodriguez, that has shown up in his place, leading Colombia past Uruguay on the weekend with a brilliant strike that added to his tournament-leading five goals.

For me, though, this one comes down to the Brazilians, a squad with the most talented players in the tournament that has yet to put together a complete 90 minutes.

Hulk, Brazil’s big-body striker, looks to be coming on after a decent showing against Chile in the Round of 16 while Neymar is producing the same amount of quality he did this time last year at the Confederations Cup.

At the moment, the biggest hole for Brazil is the absence of a target man.

Brazil manager Luiz Felipe Scolari’s infatuation with Fred is a bit odd seeing as he was booed off the pitch when replaced by Jo on the weekend.

To that end, Brazil doesn’t really have a target man to help bring Neymar and Hulk into the play more often. Against Chile, Neymar didn’t really have anyone to play off of when he recovered possession in the middle third.

For Colombia, it’s about finding a way to exploit Marcelo’s tendency to leave his position at left back and do, well, pretty much whatever he wants. While Luiz Gustavo does his best to cover for Marcelo and Dani Alves when they venture forward, if Colombia’s wide players — or even Rodriguez — can slip into those vacated spaces, they’ll get chances.

Then again, you can’t count out the Neymar factor. The kid was close to putting Chile away on a number of occasions last time out. Colombia will need him to be slightly off his game if it’s to survive.

ADVANTAGE: BRAZIL

FRANCE vs. GERMANY

Friday, July 4 – Rio de Janeiro

Some were put off by Germany’s inability to put away Algeria in the Round of 16. Not me.

For me, the Germans were far superior in that match, creating a plethora of chances — similar to what Belgium just did to the United States.

Had Thomas Mueller been able to finish off anything that game things would have been over well before extra time.

In saying that, the Germans have been tested in all four games at this tournament. The French haven’t.

At the same time, France has taken care of business and were the far better side in a 2-0 second-round win over Nigeria earlier this week.

German bench boss Joachim Low would be smart to keep Philipp Lahm at fullback heading into this one, not only for his ability to get forward, but also to help defend against a talented French attacking crew the Germans haven’t yet faced.

If he doesn’t, his plan to play four centre backs across his defence will eventually prove costly against a French side that won’t be afraid to commit numbers forward, unlike the U.S. and Algeria at times.

German media here in Fortaleza are also down on Mesut Ozil, accusing him of looking disinterested in recent fixtures.

If Low does push Lahm wide, look for the battle in midfield to become all the more important.

France’s Paul Pogba, Blaise Matuidi and Yohan Cabaye can push this match in Les Bleus’ favour if the Germans have another sleepy performance.

Still, I think Germany is battle-tested at this tournament — and will be up for this match following a scare.

Mueller was off against Algeria a few days back, I expect him to return to form.

ADVANTAGE: GERMANY

ARGENTINA vs. BELGIUM

Saturday, July 5 – Brasilia

Let’s just get this out of the way: Never count out Lionel Messi.

The Argentine playmaker is on a mission to finally produce for his country on the biggest stage. So far, he’s done just that.

In saying that, Argentina has had some scares, most recently against Switzerland in a Round of 16 match the South Americans needed extra time to eventually advance.

Much like their Brazilian rivals, Argentina has yet to play its best game in Brazil — both good and bad news for Belgium, who are coming off a fantastic display against the United States.

The Belgians, who many picked as a dark horse entering the tournament, hammered the U.S. for 90 minutes in an eventual extra time victory in Salvador.

Even better for Belgian bench boss Marc Wilmots was the fact his star forward, Romelu Lukaku, wasn’t needed until extra time Tuesday, when he came on to give the Belgians a massive boost before scoring the game-winner.

As a result, Lukaku will be rested.

For Belgium, Kevin De Bruyne is also playing at a high level and was fantastic throughout the U.S. match — a key pillar in Belgium’s middle third.

Like France, though, the Belgians haven’t really been tested at the highest level, beating South Korea, Russia, Algeria and the U.S. to get to this point unscathed.

There are questions as to whether Belgium’s banged up back four can account for Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel di Maria.

The Belgians haven’t seen anything close to that kind of quality — in qualifying and since this tournament started.

So, it’s up to De Bruyne and Marouane Fellaini to put in a repeat performance. Messi has to be corralled by committee otherwise Belgium’s back four — led by Vincent Kompany — might be torn to shreds.

Still, that’s unexpected as this is a Belgian side that seems to be getting better every game. They’re one of the most complete sides in the tournament and won’t allow themselves to become stretched.

ADVANTAGE: PICK’EM

NETHERLANDS vs. COSTA RICA

Saturday, July 5 – Salvador

The Dutch will have a chance to lay waste to another CONCACAF opponent after its dispatching of Mexico in the Round of 16. But don’t count Costa Rica out just yet.

After all, the Netherlands — not counting the Spain game of course — have had a tendency to play down to their opponents.

Still, most are going to give Costa Rica next to no chance — and rightly so. The 10-man Ticos were lucky to escape Greece in the Round of 16 and only got to this point due to some miracle work from Keylor Navas.

Here’s what we know: The Costa Ricans are going to scrape, claw, time-waste, fake injuries and do everything they can to unsettle a far superior Dutch side.

But don’t expect them to commit much going forward to help out Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell, who have both found timely goals to push Mexico to this point.

Even though Costa Rica’s back five has received praise for stoning Uruguay, England and Italy already, the problems the Dutch triangle presents will likely be too much.

On the bright side for the World Cup minnows, Dutch striker Robin van Persie is facing injury concerns and the Mexicans were able present problems for a Dutch team that has conceded in this tournament.

Further to that point, Dutch goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen has also looked shaky in recent weeks and is unanimously considered the weakest point of the Netherlands’ roster.

Still, when you’re superior at nine of the 11 spots on the field, there’s no reason to believe the Dutch won’t handle Costa Rica. Not much more can be said after that.

And, if Costa Rica finds a way to keep this thing close, it will leave everyone truly speechless.